As former Cornell lacrosse star Rob Pannell puts it, he is just riding the wave.

Since winning the Tewaaraton trophy, leading Cornell to the Final Four, and setting the Division I scoring record this past season, Pannell has been traveling around the country to various lacrosse camps and enjoying his rookie season in Major League Lacrosse.

"It's been fun. I am traveling from place to place making one or two day appearances for the kids, Pannell said.

"For them to see me and teach them a thing or two hopefully, then I get going to the next place. You kind of have to wing it in the lacrosse world that first summer after you graduate because you can't use your name to set anything up ahead of time until after you graduate. It has been a great time so far."

Pannell was drafted by the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse after his record-setting career at Cornell. Pannell has 24 points so far in his rookie season (14g, 10a) and was recently named to the MLL All-Star team.

"It has been fun. I think I was definitely prepared for what the MLL has to offer as far as being ready to play," Pannell said.

"I think we how I have worked over the last four-and-a-half years building up to this, I think it prepared me for the skill and athleticism here in the MLL and to handle the game in and game out grind it takes out on your body. It is always fun when you are playing with a ton of all-stars around you and lots of players who were probably an All-American at some point in time and just as capable of scoring a goal as you are."

MLL commissioner David Gross is excited about what Pannell can bring to his league.

"You know, I don't watch a lot of college football, but I sure knew who Andrew Luck, RGIII, and Cam Newton were when they were coming into the NFL, Gross said.

"Last year, our rookie of the year, the first time I ever heard his name was when I announced it on draft night. These guys aren't household names yet. The more we can make them into household names, the easier it will be for fans to transfer their love for the college game to the pro game.

"One guy who we do think has a great opportunity is Rob Pannell. He has come into the league with a lot of fanfare and is as popular as can be right now," Gross said.

Pannell had one of the most decorated careers a player could have individually in winning the Tewaaraton Trophy and setting the Division I scoring record with 354 career points.

Pannell's top goal remains the same now that he has entered the professional ranks.

"I think the only goal I have is winning a championship, to win one at any level that I play, Pannel said. "Individual accolades are great, but you need some championships to back that up. That is the only thing on my mind. I'd like to bring a championship to New York and I'll do whatever I can to help make that happen."

Pannell may be getting to experience a lot of new things in the lacrosse world in traveling the country and playing in the MLL, but there is a distinctive Big Red flavor with his new team in New York.

"I think it speaks to the power of those players and the Cornell program and the great job that Coach (Ben) DeLuca does there. It speaks to the way he is able to get his players to excel at the college level and how it prepares them for the pro level. It's great to see."

What does Pannell think about teaming up with players he faced off with the past four years, including Syracuse's JoJo Marasco?

'It's fun. JoJo is a great kid, Pannell said. "We have been friends for the past few years now. The lacrosse community is a very close group. We all tend to be good people and good friends. Despite some games you may have played against each other and maybe not liked each other, you become friends in a matter of time. It's great to have those guys around."

Pannell is enjoying his time in professional lacrosse, but really likes helping to grow the game and getting to work with kids in non-traditional lacrosse areas.

"It is great. They are so eager to learn,Pannell said. "They watch on TV and get to know some players. When players like myself or others come down to see them, they are wide-eyed and want to learn.

"I think in some areas where the market for lacrosse camps is saturated, it is almost too much. It can go in one ear and out the other. But I think when you go to some places like Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, that I have been so far, they are just so eager to learn. It is really fun to coach that."